Drier



T ALLSOP Jan. 19, 1932.

DRIER Filed April 2, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet HW'ENTOR:

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DRIER Filed April 2, '1 29 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 WITNESSES INVENTOR:

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ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 19, 1932. T. ALLSOF 1,841,927

DRIER Filed April 2, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 WITNESSES I N V EN TOR:

mamas flllsop,

BY a I l I 2 ATTORNEYS.

perature and Patented Jan. 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE 'rnoms ALLSOP,

0F PElILADELP HIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO THE PHILADEL- PHIA DRYING KACIINEBY COMPANY, 01' PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A. COB- PORATION 01; PHWNSYLVANIA.

DRIER Application fled April 2, 1929. Serial No. 352,013.

This invention relates generally to material treating equipment or apparatus adapted, although not essentially so, to the drying, cooling and conditioning, of various classes of goods requiring a certain defies of moisture as a prerequisite to success 1 manufacture into serviceable articles; or for shipment and storage for subsequent use.

More particularly the present. improvements have reference toapparatus ormachines of the type in which, the material treated is gradually progressed through a zone or zones wherein a predeterminedtemsensible degree of moisture, or other somewhat analagous conditions, are maintained.

The primary object of this inventlon 15 to provide a novel method of-and means forthe above noted purposes, in which the current or currents of treating media generally flows or flow counter-directional to the course traveled by the material under treatment.

Another object' is to provide an equ pment, of the character referred to, in WhlCh the treating current or currents is-or aredivertedinppposing directions, equally distributed, and evenly balanced during sinuous circulation and re-circulation over sepai 'ate courses insequential stagesof differing or graduated specific effect.

A further object is the provision of an equipment adapted to dry, cool, and condition certain classes of material, such as worsteds, woolens, cottons, silks and rayons, in which the prerequisite treating conditions are automatically maintained.

Other objects are to increase the efiiciency of equipment of the typified character; to provide amorganization that is simple), compact" and effective, in action; and which includes all thenecess ary features essential to successful commercial operation.

Having thus set forth a brief statement of the invention involved I will, in order to make the same more clear, refer to the accompanying sheets of drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference refer to corresponding parts in all the views.

In these drawings Fig. I is a broken 'top plan view of an organization or machine em odying the present improvements, arid more particularly serviceable for the treatment of materials in skein formation. 7

Fig. II is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. III is an elevation looking toward the a. somewhat larger scale.

Fig. IV is a transverse section, taken-subelivery end of the machine, but drawn to stantially as indicated by the arrows IV IV in Fig. I, and likewise on a relatively larger scale for the sake of clearness.

Fig. V is a fragmentary part-sectional and part-plan view, illustrative of certain structural features-to better advantage.

. Fig. VI is a similar elevational illustration with portions of the left-hand half thereof.

ticularly adapted to, the treatment of worsted, wool, cotton, silk or rayon yarns in,

skein form, and it comprises an enclosure, of appropriate type and construction, which is, conveniently, subdivided to provide aligned sections comprehensively designated 1, 2 and 3; that indicated as 1 serving for drying purposes, 2 constituting a cooling chamber, and 3 being assigned to moisture regain or conditioning. The equipment, or as hereinafter more suitably termed, machine shown consists of a skeleton framework of standard sections 4 that supportthermo-insulated walls 5, which are connected together in accordance with known pracs tice.

the drying section 1 is lon 'tudinally subdi videdfrom end to end y vertical partitions or'pa-nels 6, except as hereinafter exlained, to set apart a central heater chamer 7 with parallel or flanking drier com- As appreciated from III and IV,

partments 8, through which the material un der treatment is progressed by means of endless conveyors 9.

The top or roof 10 of the machine is mainly flat excepting the provision of an aligned-sequence of medially-located peaks" 11, over the heater chamber 7. Each peak 11 com prises parallel, longitudinally-directed, vertical walls 12, reversely inclined or sloping roof portions l3, the pitch of which is equal on each side of a comparatively-narrow horizontal ridge 14. Attention is here directed to the fact that the several peaks 11 are uniformly spaced; or, in other words, they are separated by gutters 15aflorded by intervals of theflat roof 10, while said gutters are preferably of. a dimension and-configuration closely approximating that of the flat rid s 14.

aoh peak 11 is-interiorly subdivided by a centrally-located vertical partition 16 which extends from the transverse median of the ridge 14, downwardly to a sub-roof 17, coextensive with the heater chamber 7; while vertical end walls or partitions 18, centrally below the gutters 15, intervene the flat roof 10 and sub-roof 17. These partitions 18 extend from side to side entirely across the machine below the flat roof 10, thereby dividing the flanking portions thereof, over the drier compartments 8, into a succession of h cells or inverted pockets p, Fig. IV, as will be readily understood by those acquainted with the artto which this invention appertains.

Referring again to the median partitions 16, they are each apertured and fitted with a suitable housing 19 for reception of a vertically rotative fan 20. At this juncture, it is to be particularly observed that, on the suction side of the respective fans 20, each peak 11 is provided with longitudinally-directed partitions or side walls 21 intervening the flat roof 10 and the sub-roof 17; whereas said sub-roof is cut out or formed intermediate the fan partition 16 and the end wall 18, on the same side thereof, with a comparatively large opening 22, as best shown in Fig. VII, that serves for a purpose later on setforth. I On'the other hand, it is also to be specifically remarked that on the deliverv side of each fan 20, the vertical side walls 21 are omitted, thereby providing opposed rectangular openings 23, for egress of the treating medium into the pockets p, and circulation through the drier compartments 8, as hereinafter explained.

Intervening the flat roof 10 and sub-roof 17, on the delivery side of each fan 20, I interpose a spreader or deflector 24, which.

serves to evenly divide the flow of treating medium discharging from said fan for distribution, by way of the opposed openings 23, into the pockets p and circulation through the respective drier compartments 8. This spreader or db flector 24, as best understood from F i V, VI, VII and VIII, is conveniently, a though not essentially, a sheet metal structure of somewhat semi frusto-pyramidal aspect; or, more specifically stated, said deflector has an inclined edge 25, in register with the longitudinal center of the peak 11, and flanking, or right and left'hand, sweeps or vatleys 26 that converge outwardly toward the associated openings 23. It is also to be noticed that the apex or high-point of the inclined edge 25, is located a distance in advance of the proximate vertical end wall 18, below the roof 10; while the low or vanishing-point 27 of each valley 26, conveniently merges into the juncture of the sub-roof 17 with the end wall aforesaid, at a distance from the companion opening 23.

Referring again to the heater chamber 7, the same is subdivided longitudinally by a skeleton structure of spaced verticals 28 and attached paneling 29, to provide walk-ways or passages 30 extending uninterruptedly through the entire drying section 1. The

paneling 29 extends, in removable sections;

from the top edge of the walk-ways 30 or sub-roof 17, to a level somewhat below the transverse supports 31 for a battery. of heater coils 32. Hinged sections, 33 may be placed transversely across the walk-ways 30, throughouttheir entire extent, so as to shutoff the lower portions of said walk-ways 30 and thereby compel all the circulating air to flow upwardly (or downwardly) through 1 the heater coils aforesaid, as conventionally indicated by the arrows on Fig. IV, more particularly; as well as to effectively prevent short circuiting of air over the conyeyors 9. Obviously, it will be understood, the hinged sections 33 are upwardly swung when access is desired to the walk-ways or passages 30.

Temperature regulators 34 are located at predetermined intervals along the battery of heater coils 32 so that varying or graduated degree of heat may be automatically malntained throughout the drier sect-ion 1, whereby the material treated need not be initially subjected to a maximum drying atmosphere, but that the transition may be progressively conducted, or vice versa.

Exhaust of the vitiated atmosphere from III the drying section 1 is effected by way of outlet openings 35 in the lower region thereof, said openings communicating into vertical conduits or trunks 36 having laterally elbowed ends 37, conveniently fitted with exhaust'er fans 38. Attention is, also, here directed to the fact that the fan 20 at the feed end of the machine, as well as the associated deflector 24 are directionally reversed, relative to the rest of the series in the drying section 1, so as to efl'ectively prevent -outflow of the used or vitiated atmosphere 6 equally distributed and balanced with respect to the drier compartments 8, as they are directed against the several deflectors 24. To further ensure this equal distribution of treating atmosphere over and through the material transported by the conveyors 9, I place a grid or slatting 39 immediately below the pockets 9, hereinbefore described, or above the forward run of the top conveyor 9; with a corresponding or similar grid or slatting 40 proximately beneath the return run of the lower conveyor 9.

After thematerial transported by the endless conveyors 9 emerges from the drying section.1, it enters the cooling chamber. 2, to which attention is now directed. This cool ing chamber 2, is devoid of any heater coils 32, while it is separated from the heater chamber 7, and conditioning section 3, by

vertical partitions 41, 42, respectively, that extend from the roof 10 to the floor level. The former partition 41, is cut out at 43 below the level of the return runs of the lower conveyors 9, in registry with the heater chamber 7, so that a proportionately small quantity of fresh atmospheric air is contmuously supplied to the drying section 1,

as later on'explained. The cooling chamber 2, however, is furnished with a peak 11a conforming in substantially all respects to the peaks' 1'1, hereinbefore described, excepting that there is no opening 22 in the sub-roof 17, so that re-circulation in said chamber is prevented. On the other hand, I provide an inlet 44, for atmospheric air, of appropriate size in the sloping roof section 13 on the suction side of the fan 20, and opposed exhaust outlets 45 in the side walls of the cooling chamber 2, below the level of the return runs of the bottom conveyors 9. Provision is thus made whereby an adequate supply of fresh atmospheric air is continuously circulated, through the cooling chamber 2; while a minor portion thereof is-constantly diverted by way of the partition opening 43 to replenish the spent or vitiated air exhauste from the drying section-1, as before set forth. Corresponding reference characters are applied to all other parts of the cooling chamber 2, which conform to those previously explained in connection with the drying section 1, in order to avoid repetitive description.

Referring now to the moisture regain or conditioning section 3, the same conforms in all major structural aspects with that of the drying sectionl, including a heater chamber 7 b, excepting that the latter also comprises means for diffusing moisture into the circulating air and minor other respects, later on duly noted. The moisture diffusing means conveniently consists of a holder or tank 46, suitably supported outside the conditioning section 3 and connected to the spraypipes 47 said tank being supplied with water by way of a service connection 48 while a plurality ;of spray heads 49 have the nozzles thereof inwardly directed, so that all the moisture emitted is thoroughly vaporized andthe circulating atmosphere highly saturated, while no water comes in direct contact with the material treated. This highly saturated at mosphere is divided and circulated through and about the passing material by means of fans 20, in the peaks 11b of the conditioning section 3. These fans 20, it is to be noted, are

arranged for opposed or inward action, as conventionally indicated by the arrows 50 on Fig. I; while the associated deflectors 24 in the peaks 11b divergently function. In

other words, there is provided a novel means 1.

whereby a constant inward circulation of highly saturated atmosphere takes place from both ends, of the heater portion 712, of the conditioning section 3, with a simultaneous divergent flow of the same into the flanking compartments 8?), through which the material treated is advancing to the delivery end of the machine. At the same time it will be observed that the conditioning section 3 is to all practical intent isolated from the cooling chamber 2 except for supply of air therefrom by way of the conveyor openings, as well as effectively safe-guarded against wasteful escape of the humidified air at the delivery end of the machine. A diaphragm valve controlling the supply of steam to the heater coils is shown at 51,with combined temperature and humidity control diagrammatically indicated at 52, the same being provided for the maintenance of predetermined or desired conditions in the conditioner 3; while similar valves 51 are fitted in connection with the heater coils 32 in the drying section 1, for a like purpose.

The respective conveyors 9 are trained about suitable drives 53, at each end of the machine, and over appropriate tracks 54 supported by the framework sections 4. These tracks 54 are protected on their inner sides by guards 55, of rustless non-corrosive sheet metal, which are securely attached to the top and bottom components thereof, whereby the material treated is safe-guarded against of the machine for example, in turn operated by appropriate drive connections 57, to a variable speed control mechanism 58. 59 is a manipulator handle or clutch lever controlling stopping and starting of either conveyor 9. The variable speed control mechanism 58 in turn is coupled by a suitable drive 60 to a continuous shaft 61, journaled in bearings 62, mounted on the roof 10 of the machine; This shaft 61, it is to be noted, is disposed along the longitudinal center line of the machine and supports all of the several fans 20; while itis, also, conveniently made up in sections attached together by couplings 63, and provided with a drive 64, at one end, whereby it is operatively connected to any suitable sourceof power.

In actual pract ce, a machine constructed according to this invention lends itself to varied uses, but. as illustrated and particularly described is more adapted to the drying, cooling and conditioning of hanks orskeins of yarns, which are transported on poles 66 by the conveyors 9 through said machine. Heating medium, such as steam is supplied to the respective heater coils 32, 47 from a main 67.

Assuming the desired temperature or temperatures for the drying section 1, as well as the temperature and humidity degree in the conditioning section 3, have been set by the respective regulators 34 and 52; it will be readily appreciated that uniform results are assured at all times regardless of conditions prevailing exteriorly of the machine. Fur"- thermore, it is to be noted that the moisture content of the conditioningatmosphereas well as the respective temperatures in the va; rious sections 1 and 3, of the machine are all under positive automatic control.

Operation of the machine under the foreoing conditions is briefly as follows iower being applied to the shaft 61, it will be .readily seen that the respective fans 20 are uniformly rotated, while the several conveyors 9 are correspondingly progressed at the desired speed under control of the variable speed mechanism 58. Material, such as the hanks or skeins 65, on poles 66, for treatment is supplied to the feed end of the section-1, in any conventional manner, and gradually passed through said section by the conveyors 9. During progress through the section 1, the skeins 65 traverse a series of uniformly-maintained drying-atmospheres circulating and recirculating thereabout, within the respective compartmental sections 8 under action of the fans 20, as hereinbefore 'fully explained, whereby said skeins are effectively freed of all contained moisture, be-

fore entry into the cooling chamber 2 in a hot condition. Incident to positive governance of the travel of the conveyors 9, by the speed control mechanism 58, the skeins 65 emerging from the drying section 1, are properly cooled by fresh atmospheric air in the chamber 2, and thereby reduced to the requisite temperature for proper regain of the essential or normal amount of moisture. This moisture regain is quickly and uniformly} obtained in the section 3, as before set forth; whereupon the skeins 65 are discharged at the delivery end of the machine, with the proper moisture content and feel brought about by the uniform drying, cooling and conditioning, se-- quentially effected in the manner described.

From the foregoing it is thought the novel features and advantages of my invention will be .well understood, but it is to be particularly noted that the general principle of circulating' and re-circulating the treating media, may be employed in a single 'unit or section allocated to any one of the individual operations set forth. For instance, in the treatment of certain classes of materials, the drying operation may be entirely dispensed with, thereby obviating the necessity for section 1, and the process restricted to cooling and conditioning only, as effected in sections 2 and 3. Again, in the finshing of cotton fabrics, silk, linen, paper, etc, my novel means may be arranged to operate in tandem with a calender, and such materials delivered thereto having the right amount of moisture content to ensure the best calendered results.

In conclusion, it will be readily understood that my invention being adapted to various uses, I do not wish to be limitedby the specific disclosure, but consider myself at liberty to make such variations and modifications therein, as are circumscribed by reasonable interpretation accorded the subjoined claims. 1

Having thus described my invention what I claim, is

1. A structure of the character described comprising an inclosure with the upper region set apart by a sub-roof; a transverse partition across the upper region housing a rotary fan; said sub-roof having an inlet orifice on 5 the suction side of the fan, with lateral walls of the upper region apertured to provide opposing outlets on the pressure side of such I fan; and means intermediate the outlets serv ing to evenly-divert the pressure How there- 110 through, for equally-balanced tortuous-circulation and re-circulation back to the subroof orifice aforesaid.

2. A structure of the character described comprising an inclosure with a peak set apart 125 therefrom'by a partitive sub-roof; a transverse partition aligning the peak ridge and accommodating a vertically rotative fan; said sub-roo having an inlet orifice on the suction side of the fan, and the gable ends sac of the peak apertured to afford opposing outlets on the pressure side of such fan; and a deflector intermediate the outlets functional to divert the pressureflow into equallybalanced evenly-distributed sections for varidirectional circulation and re-circulation. back to the sub-roof orifice aforesaid.

3. A structure of the character described comprising an inclosure with a peak superstructure set apart therefrom by a partitive sub-roof; a transverse partition aligning the peak ridge; a vertically rotative fan located in an opening in said partition; said subroof having an inlet Orifice on the suction side of the fan, and the gable ends of the peak apertured to afiord opposing outlets on the delivery side of such fan; and a semi frustopyramidal deflector intermediate the outlets, the diverging faces whereof direct the delivery flow from the fan through said outlets for evenly-distributed equally-balanced vari-directional circulation and re-circulation over relatively independent courses back to the sub-roof orifice aforesaid.

4. A structure of the character described comprising an inclosure with a peak superstructure set apart therefrom by a partitive sub-roof; a transverse partition aligningthe peak'ridge; a vertically rotative'fan located in an opening in said partition; said sub-roof having an inlet orifice on the suction side of the fan, and the gable ends of thep'eak apertured to afiord opposing outlets on the delivery side of such fan; and a deflector hav ing an inclined edge in register with the longitudinal center of the structure, and flanking valleys that converge towardthe respective' outlets aforesaid, whereby pre-ordered circulation and re-circulation ofthe fan delivery flow over equally-balanced relatively independent cours esback to the sub-roof inlet orifice is insured. 4

5. A machine of the character described comprising an inclosure subdivided to provide a medial heater section with paralleling treating chambers, and a peak superstructure over the heater section separated therefrom by a sub-roof; a transverse partition aligning the peak ridge; a vertically rotative fan located in an opening in said partition; said sub-roof having an inlet orifice over the heater section on the suction side of the .fan, and the gable ends of the peak apertured to afford opposing outlets on the delivery side of such fan; and a centrally situated deflector 'with opposedly directed sweeps converging toward the opposing outlets, whereby the fan delivery flow is divided and equally-balanced for circulation and re-circulation through the respective treating chambers and heater section back to the suction side of said fan.

6. A machine of the character described comprising an inclosure sub-divided to provide a central heater section and paralleling treating chambers with intervening walkways having partitive elements defining intercommunication between said section and chambers a peak over the heater section separated therefromby a sub-roof, and lateral partitions dividing the treating chamber upper regions into open-bottom pockets; atransverse partition aligning the peak ridge; a

vertically rotative fan located in an opening in said partition; said sub-roof having an inlet orifice over the heater section on the aligned with the ridge thereof; a vertically suction 'side of the fan, and the gable ends of the peak aperturedto afford opposing outlets on the'delivery side of such fan; and a centrally situated deflector with opposedly directed sweeps converging toward the opposing outlets, whereby the fan delivery flow is divided and equally-balanced for circulation and recirculation through the respective treating chambers and beaten-section back to the suction side of said fan. 4 7. A machine of the'character described I comprising an inclosure longitudinally subdivided to provide a-central heater section and parallelingtreating chambers with intervening walkways having partitive hinged elements defining intercommunication between said section and chambers; a plurality of transversely directed peaks over the heater section individually segregated therefrom by a sub-roof with lateral and longitudinal par- 3 titions, said lateral partitions extending across the machine to divide the respective treating chamber upper regions into openbottom pockets; a partition across each peak rotative fan located in an opening of each said ridge partition; said sub-roof having in a let orifices over the heater section on the suction side of each fan, with the longitudinal partitions aforesaid apertured to afl'ord opposing outlets on the delivery side of the respective fans connecting into the open-bottom pockets; a centrally situated deflector with opposedly directed sweeps converging toward the opposing outlets; and means coordinating the several fans for uniform rotation whereby their respective delivery flows are divided and equally-balanced for sequential circulation and re-circulation about the 1 treating chambers and heater section back to 0 I the suction sides of said fans.

8. A machine of the character described comprising an inclosure longitudinally sub divided to provide a central heater section and paralleling treating chambers with in- 1 tervening walkways having partitive hinged elements defining intercommunication be.- tween said section and chambers; a plurality of transversely directed peaks over the heater section individually segregated therefrom by a sub-roof with lateral and longitudinal partitions, said lateral partitions extending across the machine to divide the respective treating chamber upper regions into openbottom pockets; a partition across each peak aligned with the ridge thereof; a vertically rotative fan located in an opening of each said ridge partition; said sub-roof having inlet orifices over the heater section on the suction side of each fan,'with the longitudinal partitions aforesaid apertured to aflord 0pposing outlets on the delivery side of the respective fans connecting into the open-bottom pockets; a centrally situated deflector with opposedly directed sweeps converging toward the opposing outlets and a drive shaft co-ordinatin the several fans for simultaneous uni orm rotation with the terminal ones reversely pitched relative to the others, 5 for the purpose specified.

9. A structure of the characters described comprising an enclosure having a sub-roof; a transverse partition across said structure housing a rotary fan; said sub-roof having 10 an inlet orifice on one side of the fan; lateral walls in the structure apertured to provide opposing outlets on the pressure side of the fan; and means intermediate said outlets serving to evenly-divert pressure flow there- 15 through equally-balanced tortuous circulation and re-circulation back to the inlet orifice aforesaid.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- 2o Vania, this 28th day of March, 1929.

THOMAS ALLSOP. 

